One of my most frequently asked questions from beginner players is whether to choose electric or acoustic. This is MY VIEW - others may disagree and they are welcome to their opinion. Mine is subject to change without notice!

Video Lesson

The big beginners debate

The basic types are Acoustic (steel strings), Electric and Classical (nylon strings). You can have semi-acoustic guitars too and also electro-acoustic guitars (acoustic guitars with a fitted pick-up system)

So lets look at the pro's and cons or each.

Decisions based on playability
Electric guitar is easier to play. The strings are usually closer to the neck, thinner and therefore easier to press down. Barre chords on acoustic guitar can be very demanding and requires a lot of finger strength. Cheaper acoustic guitars can be very hard to play up the neck.

The distance from the strings to the neck is called the "action". when it is very low it is easy to press the strings down, when it it too low the strings will buzz. If it's too high it's too hard to play, though many pro players (like myself) prefer a higher action so you can dig into the strings. Getting your guitar action set up by a good luthier can make a huge difference to your guitar's playability.

I have a number of private students that found an AMAZING difference when they had set their guitar up correctly. If you are struggling to play barre chords on an acoustic guitar, it could certainly be a part of the problem.

Decisions based on sound and style
It is what you want to do... If you want to play rock, get an electric. If you want to play folk or fingerstyle I think a steel string acoustic is a good choice. If you want to play classical then you need a nylon string classic guitar. It all depends on what style you want to play. If you like death metal you probably don't want to buy a pink Telecaster... so think about what you like and what you are going to play on it.

If you want to play all styles, then electric might be the way to go and get an acoustic later. My opinion.

Decisions based on cost
Very cheap acoustics are usually not such a great idea, often sound quality is poor and they are hard to play, I often see students selling them after a six month struggle - so you'll find a lot on e-bay! So if your budget is very tight, I wouldn't get an acoustic. You save a little because you don't need to buy and amplifier BUT you don't have to use an amplifier to practice anyway!

Electric guitars need an amplifier to be heard although they make enough sound just for practice without one. There are also a number of units (like Line 6 Pod) that can be plugged into your hi-fi, not much use if you wanna play in a band though! I did the majority of my practice on an electric guitar without and amplifier - and I think it helps you work on your tone, because you have to draw the volume out of the instrument. Sure, having a cool amp can help make you sound like your favourite players, and that is cool and fun, but not so important when you are just starting out!

Verdict

Well I think for the general beginner an electric guitar is probably a better starter instrument, mainly because they are a little easier to play and so you will see results faster and it will inspire you to play more! :) But it really doesn't matter, you can learn on any old guitar if you really want to learn!

Here is a way of thinking about it... some rules if you like.

1. If you want to play rock - buy electric.
2. If you want to play classical - buy a nylon string acoustic.
3. If you want to play folk - buy a steel string acoustic.
4. If you only have a very small budget, don't buy an acoustic.
5. Don't buy an electric with a "floating tremolo".

Recommended Brands

This is really just about personal choice. Everyone likes different guitars, but here are some of my thoughts on certain brands...

Steel String Acoustic
Maton Steel string acoustics are my favourite by far, and they doa good range of guitars aiming from mid-price to high end guitars. If you have the budget for one, they are awesome and will last you a long time!

Yamaha and Fender make very good budget acoustic guitars. I think lately I have played more cheap Yamaha's that were good, they are mass produced, but mass produced well!! Avoid the thin Fender acoustics that look like telecasters... they sound rubbish and don't play well...

Make sure you have a play of it and make sure it feels comfortable for you. Try and make sure the strings are not too far from the neck too, if the "action" is too hard you will really struggle when it comes to barre chords and power chords!

At the higher end I rate Maton, Martin, Taylor and Guild, but once you are spending a couple of thousand, you should know what you want and what you need and be looking for that. Old ones often sound great and have more character. Watch out for cracks in the wood if you buy second hand guitar, if you don't know what you are doing, ask someone who does to come with you!

Electric
My favorite adage applies, "Buy cheap, Buy twice". I rate the Yamaha Pacifica guitars, very good build and slightly thinner neck (good for rock), consistently excellent build quality. I don't think there is much of a question about the quality of these guitars and most of the other teachers I respect recommend them too! There are cheaper guitars but for the few pounds you will save you are much better off to go for a Pacifica.

There are some cheaper Ibanez guitars that sound great. The Fender Squire are not bad either, though I've seen some badly set up ones with really cheap fittings so they are on the way down in my book. Buying a USA strat will always be awesome though if you have the budget :)

DON'T BUY AN ELECTRIC WITH A FLOATING TREMELO WHEN YOU START OUT.

They are a total pain in the butt, very hard to tune and a real pain to change strings. The cheaper ones go out of tune a lot too. If you spend more, and know why you want one, then fine, but locking tremolos on budget instruments are usually rubbish. If you are a beginner then you probably don't know what a "floating tremolo" is... well have a look at Floyd Rose, who made the first ones. If your guitar has tuners on the bridge, then it's probably a floating tremolo, so stay clear of it.

Classical
I think the Yamaha brand are excellent, and that what I started on! There are many others of course but Yamaha consistently deliver a top notch product at a budget price.

If you are loaded then just go any try one of the many beautiful handmade guitars available. I personally would like old an Ramirez guitar but they cost as much as nice cars! Maybe one day ;)

I hope that help you make up your mind!!

More Information

PLEASE NOTE - I do not know what guitar you should buy, so please don't email me to ask. All I can offer is the advice above, but you might like to check out my recommended products for beginners too!

There is some more info on specific guitars I recommend at RE-020 • Recommended Products For Beginners and more info on the next page in the course too!

 

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